Multi-depth augmented reality display

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11630303-B2
Application number	US-201716465085-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 29, 2017
Priority date	Nov 30, 2016
Publication date	Apr 18, 2023
Grant date	Apr 18, 2023

Abstract

A system includes an image realisation device for forming a source image and projection optics for rendering a display image on a display screen, wherein the display image is a virtual image corresponding to the source image. The projection optics have an optical axis, and the image realisation device includes a first image realisation surface at a first distance along the optical axis and a second image realisation surface at a second, different distance along the optical axis. The first and second image realisation surfaces overlap, and the first and second image realisation surfaces include multiple regions, each region switchable between a transparent state and an image realisation state such that the source image may be formed on a region of the first or second image realisation surface and projected through the projection optics to render the display image on the display screen at a first or second apparent depth.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An imaging system for generating multi-depth virtual images on a display screen, the imaging system comprising:
an image realisation device for forming a source image; and
projection optics for rendering a display image on the display screen, wherein the display image is a virtual image corresponding to the source image, the projection optics having an optical axis, and
wherein the image realisation device comprises:
a first image realisation surface at a first distance along the optical axis from a focal point of the projection optics, and
a second image realisation surface at a second different distance along the optical axis from the focal point of the projection optics,
wherein the first and second image realisation surfaces overlap at least in part, and
wherein each of the first and second image realisation surfaces comprises a plurality of independently controlled regions, each independently controlled region being selectively switchable between a transparent state and an image realisation state such that the source image may be selectively formed on a region of the first or second image realisation surface and projected through the projection optics rendering the display image on the display screen at a first apparent depth or a second apparent depth, and wherein an extent of each of the plurality of regions of the first and second image realisation surfaces is variable.

2. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second image realisation surfaces is translatable along the optical axis of the projection optics.

3. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second image realisation surfaces is rotatable and tiltable relative to the optical axis of the projection optics.

4. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the display screen is a display of a head-up display.

5. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second image realisation surfaces is capable of generating the source image.

6. The imaging system according to claim 1 , further comprising a picture generation unit for generating the source image to be rendered as the display image on the display screen and projecting the source image onto at least one of the first and second image realisation surfaces.

7. The imaging system according to claim 6 , wherein the image realisation state of at least one of the first and second image realisation surfaces is an optically diffusive state.

8. The imaging system according to claim 6 , wherein the picture generation unit comprises a holographic unit to produce computer generated holograms to form holographic images on the first and second image realisation surfaces.

9. The imaging system according to claim 6 , wherein the picture generation unit comprises a light field unit to produce 3-dimensional light field images for forming on the first and second image realisation surfaces.

10. The imaging system according to claim 6 , further comprising a driver, said driver configured to selectively switch at least one of the first and second image realisation surfaces between the diffusive or transparent state.

11. The imaging system according to claim 10 , wherein the picture generation unit comprises a laser and the driver is configured to work synchronously with the laser.

12. The imaging system according to claim 10 , wherein the picture generation unit comprises a holographic unit to produce computer generated holograms to form holographic images on the first and second image realisation surfaces and the driver is configured to work synchronously with the holographic unit.

13. The imaging system according to claim 10 , wherein the picture generation unit comprises a light field unit to produce 3-dimensional light field images for forming on the first and second image realisation surfaces and the driver is configured to work synchronously with the light field unit.

14. The imaging system according to claim 6 , wherein the picture generation unit, image realisation device and projection optics are arranged along an optical path of the imaging system.

15. The imaging system according to claim 6 , wherein the picture generation unit further comprises focussing optics.

16. The imaging system according to claim 6 , wherein the picture generation unit is configured to generate an input image to be rendered on the display screen as a second image, wherein the input image is adjusted to compensate for any distortion due to the display screen.

17. The imaging system according to claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional image realisation surfaces.

18. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein each image realisation surface is a different size.

19. A vehicle comprising the imaging system of claim 1 .

20. A method of generating multi-depth virtual images on a display screen, the method comprising:
forming a source image with an image realisation device,
rendering a display image on the display screen, via a projection optics having an optical axis, wherein the display image is a virtual image corresponding to the source image, and
wherein the image realisation device comprises:
a first image realisation surface at a first distance along the optical axis from a focal point of the projection optics, and
a second image realisation surface at a second different distance along the optical axis from the focal point of the projection optics,
the first and second image realisation surfaces overlapping at least in part, and

wherein each of the first and second image realisation surfaces comprises a plurality of independently controlled regions, each independently controlled region being selectively switchable between a transparent state and an image realisation state such that the source image may be selectively formed on a region of the first or second image realisation surface and projected through the projection optics rendering the display image on the display screen at a first apparent depth or a second apparent depth, and wherein an extent of each of the plurality of regions of the first and second image realisation surfaces is variable.

Assignees

• Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
• Cambridge Entpr Ltd

Inventors

• Meijering Valerian
• Hardy Robert
• Li Kun
• Yöntem Ali
• Chu Daping

Classifications

• H04N13/344

  with head-mounted left-right displays · CPC title

• G02B27/0103 Primary

  comprising holographic elements · CPC title

• H04N5/7408 Primary

  Direct viewing projectors, e.g. an image displayed on a video CRT or LCD display being projected on a screen · CPC title

• G02B27/01

  Head-up displays · CPC title

• G02B27/0101 Primary

  characterised by optical features (G02B27/0172 takes precedence) · CPC title